The Boston Celtics have reportedly signed Devin Carter to a training camp deal, where he could compete for a two-way contract. Carter, 24, is a former lottery pick, having been selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. However, after two seasons with the franchise, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks this summer, where he was subsequently waived.
Boston still has an open roster spot. However, inking Carter to a two-way deal is the smart business play, as the franchise is currently $1.7 million under the luxury tax. Brad Stevens has spent the last 18 months positioning the Celtics to reset the repeater tax, which requires being a non-tax-paying team for two consecutive seasons.
For a player with Carter's
experience in the NBA, a minimum contract is approximately $2.45 million, which would put Boston back into the tax. Of course, they would have until the end of the season to duck back under that line; however, the smarter play would be to bring Carter in on a two-way deal. NBA salaries are pro-rata, meaning the amount a player is paid for the season decreases based on when they were signed.
Boston can wait until later in the season to convert Carter to the main roster, allowing them to secure the former lottery pick now while navigating the luxury tax with expert precision. The other upside to taking this approach is that Boston's coaching staff, both with the main NBA roster and with the Maine Celtics, can evaluate Carter before making a longer-term commitment. They'd essentially be signing him to a 'try before you buy' deal.
Due to Carter's potential two-way addition, it's unlikely that we will see the Celtics make a move to round out their primary rotation. They'll likely leave that 15th roster spot open, potentially earmarked for Carter later in the season (assuming he signs).
So, while adding Carter on a two-way deal isn't the most attractive prospect, it would be solid cap management from a front office working with a shoestring remaining budget. Now, the ball is figuratively in Carter's court, as he looks to prove he can be the latest diamond in the rough and earn a shot at working with the Celtics' now-heralded development system.
Watch or listen to the "Celtics Chronicle" podcast on:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4gCWSaX
Apple: https://bit.ly/4wXHpaB
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics' cap math means Devin Carter would make sense on a two-way
